Packaging carton for clocks or the like



March 3, 1964 N. E. BURKE 3, 7

PACKAGING CARTON FOR CLOCKS OR THE LIKE Filed March 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l /4 A9 /8 4 aa za 37 2.8

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PACKAGING CARTON FOR CLOCKS OR THE LIKE Filed March 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [r7 ven z: 0/; Norman ZBUrke,

@kM/W United States Patent 3,123,274 PACKAGING CARTON FOR CLOCKS 0R THE LIKE I Norman E. Burke, Framingham, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 21, 1962, Ser. N 0. 181,359 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-14) This invention relates to cartons or boxes for the shipment of relatively fragile articles, such as clocks, or the like.

In the manufacture and sale of clocks tor the like, the nature of the product dictates that it be effectively packaged to withstand normal shipping and handling abuses. An easily assembled package which will provide proper protection and which may be readily and economically manufactured from a minimum amount of material is particularly desirable.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, easily assembled carton for clocks or the like which will be able to protect the clock from the drops or jolts to which such an item is normally subjected during packaging and shipping.

it is a further object of this invention to provide an improved low cost carton which may be formed from a scored blank having integral cushion segments for forming supporting surfaces and may include a pair of additional scored blanks to form additional cushioning inserts.

Briefly stated, the invention relates to a carton for packaging a clock or a similar item and includes four side walls which when assembled have a rectangular cross-section. One of the side walls is provided with two cushioning segments with one segment being formed integral with one end of the wall and the other integral with the opposite end of the wall. Each segment is positioned to extend towards the opposing side wall and is provided with acushioning segment flap which forms an angled cross-section with its respective segment. The cushion segment flaps are positioned in contact with the opposing side wall, and means are provided for securing the flaps and segments in this position so that the segments are adapted to support opposing portions, such as the top and bottom, of a clock or similar item to .be packaged within the carton. In so doing the segments suspend the clock and serve to cushion the clock from top or bottom drops or jolts toward either segment and from front side drops.

Further features, objects and advantages will be apparent with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rectangular carton blank which is provided with slots and score lines along which the blank may be folded to form the carton of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1 partially assembled and includes the two cushion inserts of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a scored rectangular blank which may be bent to form the cushion inserts of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the assembled carton taken along the lines 4 4 of FIG. 5 and includes a clock positioned within the carton;

FIG. 5 is a side section view of the assembled carton taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the assembled carton taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 4.

The carton of the invention may be for-med from a rectangular sheet or-blank, as shown in FIG. 1, and may be made of cardboard or similar material. The sheet may be provided with three, parallel, spaced, score lines "ice 10, 12 and 14. Additional groups of score lines perpendicular to lines 10, 12 and 14 are formed at 16 and 18 along edge 19 of the sheet and at 20 and 22 along the opposing edge 23 of the sheet. The sheet is cut by slots 24, 26 and 28 which coincide with score lines 10, 12 and 14, respectively, and extend from edge 19 inwardly to the inner score line 16. The opposite edge 23 is cut with similar slots 30, 32 and 34 extending inwardly towards inner score line 20 and also coinciding with score lines 10, 12 and 14, respectively. The six slots serve .to form eight flap sections 3542.

The carton blank may be folded along the score lines 10, 12 and 14 to form four side walls 44, 45, 46 and 47. These walls may be seen in assembled relation in FIG. 2 wherein wall 44 is secured to wall 47, by a piece of tape 48 or other suitable means, to form a tubular section of the carton having a rectangular cross-section. For purposes of orientation with respect to the clock to be packaged within the car-ton, sides 44 and 46 may be considered the front and back walls, respectively.

Each of the flap sections 3538 may be bent from the plane of its associated side wall by bending along score line 16; similarly, flap sections 39-42 may be bent along score line 2%. In FIG. 2, the flap sections are all shown as being bent outwardly from the interior of the carton at right angles to the side walls to illustrate the size, shape and the bends formed in the various flap sections. It should be understood, however, that the flap sections are not necessarily bent outwardly along the lines 16 and 2h in the manner shown in FIG. 2 in actual assembly. it may be seen from FIG. 2 that flap sections 35 and 37 have been folded along score linelfi to form flaps 35a and 35b and 37a and 3%, respectively. It should be noted that flap 35b has been bent in the direction opposite to flap 3712. Similarly, flap sections 39 and 41 have been bent along score line 22 in opposite directions to form flaps 39a and 39b and 41a and 41b, respectively. It should be noted that as viewed in FIG. 2, flaps 35b and 3% extend away from each other whereas flaps 37b and 41b extend toward each other. Further, flap sections 35, 37, 39 and '41 may be seen as each having an angled cross-section, which as shown is substantially L.-shaped.

In assembly, the bottom end of the box, as viewed in FIG. 2, is closed by tucking section 41 inwardly into the interior of the carton so that flap 41a extends diagonally towards front wall 44, as best seen in FIG. 5. It can be seen that flap section 41 has been bent along score line 26 through an angle greater than from its position in the scored blank of FIG. 1. Following this, bottom fiap sections 441 and 42 are bent inwardly towards each other and at right anglesrto the side walls. The iiap sections 40 and 42 are not bent along score line 22, in that such score line was made upon these sections merely as a manufacturing convenience while scoring sections .39 and 41. After flap sections 40, 41 and 42 havebeen folded into position, the bottom end of the carton may be sealed or closed by folding section 39 inwardly towards sidewall 46 and at right angles to the side walls. Flap 3% completely covers the end of the carton to form the bottom endwall and flap- 3% forms an end or bottom wall flap to engage the outer surface of the side wall 46. Flap section 39 may be retained in this position by securing bottom wall flap 39b to back wall 46 with tape, glue, staples or other suitable fastening means. When bottom wall 39a. is secured in position, the free edge 41c of flap 4112, which is remote from flap 41a, is supported by the corner formed at the intersection, of front wall 44 and the surface including flap sections 44) and 42 and bottom wall 394:; In this manner, flap 41a becomes a cushion segment which is adapted to support one edge of an item to be packaged within the carton, such as the bottom edge 51 of a clock as seen in FIG. 5; and flap 4111 may be called a cushion segment flap.

In similar fashion, the top or opposite end of the carton may be closed so that flap section 37a becomes a cushion segment for the top edge of the clock 50, with flap 3712 becoming a cushion segment flap forming a supporting member, and flap 35a forming the top or remaining end wall of the carton.

In the event additional cushioning means are desired, the carton may, in accordance with the invention, be provided with a pair of cushioning inserts 52 and 54, seen in FIG. 2. Each insert may be formed from a rectangular sheet of material similar to the blank 56 seen in FIG. 3. The blank 56 is provided with two parallel score lines 58 and 6t), which are parallel to one edge of the blank. Bending the blank 56 in opposite directions along the score lines 58 and 66 produces a cushioning insert similar to inserts 52 and 54 seen in FIG. 2, wherein insert 52 is shown as having parallel legs 62 and 64 separated by cushioning segment 66. Before both the top and bottom walls of the carton have been folded into closed position, cushioning insert 52 is inserted into the carton along side wall 47 so that leg 62 engages the inner surface of rear side wall 46 and leg 64 engages the inner surface of front side wall 44-. In order to fit within the carton, the cushioning insert must be bent along the score lines 58 and 69 so that the insert is given a substantially Z-shaped crosssection. to form parallel legs 67 and 68 separated by cushioning segment 69 and positioned within the carton adjacent side wall 45. The cushioning segments 66 and 6 of inserts 52 and 54 serve to support opposing edges of the clock St? in a manner similar to that of the cushioning segments 37a and 41a, as may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6. However, in addition, it should be noted that the back plate of the clock 50 is supported on leg 62 of insert 52 and on leg 68 of insert 54, which in combination with flap 35b and flap 3912 provide cushioning in the event of a back drop or jolt.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, cushioning segments 37a, 41a, 66 and 69 suspend the clock 56 by supporting the clock along four edge surfaces as may be seen in FIGS. 4-6. More specifically, the back plate of the clock 5h is positioned so that the frusto-conical edge surface 51 of the clock is supported at four equally spaced locations by the cushioning segments. These segments have been dimensioned such that the taper of the clock edge 51 is substantially the same as the diagonal slope of the cushioning segments, to insure adequate surface contact. It can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, that with this arrangement the clock is suspended so that the face 7d of the clock is prevented from contacting front wall 44 to thereby minimize the possibility of damage to the typically fragile clock face if the carton should be dropped or struck so that the clock 59 would tend to move towards the front wall 44.

Although the cushioning segments cooperate to support the clock, it will be appreciated that cushioning segments 37a and 41a primarily protect the clock from top or bottom drops or jolts; whereas segments 66 and 69 primarily protect from side drops. All four cushioning segments cooperate to protect the clock when the carton is dropped on its front wall; when another carton or other object is dropped on the front or the rear wall; or when the carton is dropped on its front or rear wall while another carton or other object is resting on the opposite wall. In the latter four situations, legs 62 and 68 of inserts 52 and 54, respectively, and flaps 35b and 3% also assist in mitigating the effect of the blow. Even when the carton is simply dropped on its back wall, the four edge cushion segments provide some cushion effect due to their resiliency; however, the legs 62 and 68 and flaps 35b and 39b bear the brunt of the blow.

The other cushioning insert 54 is similarly bent Thus, it will be appreciated that by utilizing the carton described the clock is securely supported and adequately protected from normal packing, shipping and handling abuse. Further, it should be appreciated that employing one large rectangular scored blank along with two simple inserts provides a relatively inexpensive carton which yet provides adequate support.

Another feature of the invention is that the cord 72 of the clock may be conveniently stored in the space formed between one of the cushioning segments and the adjacent wall, for example, in space 74 formed by cushioning segment 37a and top wall 35a, as seen in FIG. 5. This arrangement conveniently removes the cord from the immediate area surrounding the clock so that the possibility of causing damage to the cord or the clock by each other is minimized.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the invention, and therefore it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A carton for packaging a fragile item comprising four side walls which when assembled form a tubular portion of the carton having a rectangular cross-section, two flap sections each having an integral cushion segment and a cushion segment flap, one of said cushion segments being formed integral with and hinged to one end of one of said side walls, the other cushion segment being formed integral with and hinged to the opposite end of said one side wall, both of said flap sections being positioned within said carton to form angled cross-sections with the cushion segment flaps positioned in contact with the side wall opposing said one side wall so that said flap sections can support opposing portions of the item to be packaged therein, and a pair of cushion inserts each havmg a substantially Z-shaped cross-section and adapted to extend between said cushion segments, said inserts being positioned and spaced from each other to support op posing portions of the item to be packaged in said carton.

2. A carton for packaging a clock or a similar item comprising four side walls which when assembled form a tubular portion of the carton having a rectangular cross section, two end walls perpendicular to said side walls, two flap sections each having an integral cushion segment and a cushion segment flap, one of said cushion segments being formed integral with and hinged to one end of one of said side walls, and the other cushion segment being formed integral with the opposite end of said wall, both of said flap sections being positioned within said carton to form angled cross-sections with each of the cushion segment flaps supported by the corner formed by a respective one of said end walls and the side wall opposing said one side wall and with the joint between each cushion segment flap and its adjoining cushion segment being spaced from said opposing side Wall so that the cushion segments are adapted to resiliently support opposing portions of the item to be packaged within the carton.

3. A carton for packaging a clock or a similar item comprising four side walls including a front wall and a back wall parallel to the front wall all of which when assembled form a tubular portion of the carton having a rectangular cross-section, a top wall and a bottom wall both perpendicular to said side walls, two flap sections each having an integral cushion segment and a cushion segment flap, one of said cushion segments being formed integral with and hinged to the top of said back wall and the other cushion segment being formed integral with and hinged to the bottom of said back wall, both of said flap sections being positioned within said carton to form angled cross-sections with one of said cushion segment flaps being supported by the corner formed by said top wall and said front wall and the other cushion segment flap being supported by the corner formed by said bottom wall and said front wall so that the cushion segments are positioned to support the top and bottom edges of the clock to be packaged within the carton, and a pair of cushion inserts each having a pair of parallel legs connected by a cushion segment to form a substantially Z- shaped cross-section and adapted to extend between the cushion segments integral with the back wall, one of the parallel legs of each of said inserts being adapted to engage said back wall and the other of said parallel legs of each of said inserts being adapted to engage said front wall, said inserts being positioned and spaced from each other to support opposing edges of the clock to be packaged in said carton.

4. A carton for packaging a clock or a similar item comprising four side Walls including a front wall and a back wall parallel to the front wall all of which when assembled form a tubular portion of the carton having a rectangular cross-section, a top Wall and a bottom wall both perpendicular to said side walls, two flap sections each having an integral cushion segment and a cushion segment flap, one of said cushion segments being formed integral with and hinged to the top of said back wall and the other cushion segment being formed integral with and hinged to the bottom of said back wall, both of said fiap sections being positioned within said carton to form angled cross-sections with one of said cushion segment flaps being supported by the corner formed by said top wall and said front wall and the other cushion segment flap being supported by the corner formed by said bottom wall and said front wall so that the cushion segments are positioned to support the top and bottom edges of the clock to be packaged within the carton, and a pair of cushion inserts each having a pair of parallel legs connected by a cushion segment to form a substantially Z- shaped cross-section and adapted to extend between the cushion segments integral with the back wall, one of the parallel legs of each of said inserts being adapted to engage said back wall and the other of said parallel legs of each of said inserts being adapted to engage said front wall, said inserts being positioned and spaced from each other to support opposing edges of the clock to be packaged in said carton, the parallel leg of each of said inserts which is adapted to engage said back wall being positioned to support the back surface of the clock to be packaged therein.

5. A carton formed from a rectangular sheet of material provided with three spaced score lines parallel to an edge of said sheet and four spaced parallel score lines perpendicular to said three score lines and arranged in two groups of two lines each, said groups being disposed adjacent opposite edges of said sheet, said one sheet also being provided with slots extending inwardly from each of said opposite edges along lines coinciding with said three score lines to a depth corresponding to the inner line of each of said groups, said slots and said inner score lines defining eight flap sections, said sheet being adapted to be bent at right angles along said three score lines to form four sides of a carton having a rectangular crosssection, the flap sections of a first one of said side walls being hinged to said side wall and adapted to be bent inwardly through an angle greater than a right angle toward an opposing second one of said side walls along said inner score lines, the flap sections of said first side wall being adapted to be bent outwardly along the outer score line of said second group to engage said second side wall, the flap sections of the third and fourth one of said side walls being bent inwardly at right angles along said inner score lines toward each other, the fiap sections of said second side wall being adapted to be bent inwardly at right angles along said inner score lines after the flaps of said other side walls have been positioned, said second side wall fiap sections being sized such that after being bent the end edges of said first side wall are aligned with the outer score line on the flap sections, the flap sections of said second side wall being further adapted to be bent in wardly at right angles along said outer score lines to engage the outer surface of said first side wall, and second and third rectangular sheets each being provided with a pair of spaced score lines parallel to an edge of said sheet and adapted to be bent along said score lines to form substantially Z-shaped support inserts, said support inserts being adapted to be positioned within said carton with the parallel legs of said Z-shaped inserts abutting the respective opposing surface of said first and second side walls so that said Z-shaped inserts and the flap sections or" said first side Wall are adapted to support the edges of an item to be packaged within the carton.

6. A carton for packaging a clock or a similar item comprising four side Walls which when assembled have a rectangular cross-section, two end walls perpendicular to said side walls, two end cushion segments with one segment integral with one end of and hinged to one of said side walls and the other segment integral with and hinged to the other end of said one side wall each of said segments being adapted to be folded diagonally toward the opposing side wall, two supporting cushion segment flaps each integral with a respective one of said cushion segments along the edge of said segment remote from said one side wall, each of said segment fiaps having an edge remote from its cushion segment for abutting a respective one of the inner corners formed by said end walls and the side wall opposing said one side Wall to thereby support said cushion segments in their diagonal positions so that the cushion segments are adapted to cushion opposing portions of a clock to be packaged within said carton, and a pair of cushion inserts each having a Z-shaped cross-section and adapted to extend between said cushion segments, said inserts being positioned and spaced from each other to support opposing edges of the clock to be packaged in said carton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,069,021 Miller July 29, 1913 1,173,752 Smith Feb. 29, 1916 2,555,581 Dunning June 5, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 519,456 Great Britain Mar. 27, 1940 

2. A CARTON FOR PACKAGING A CLOCK OR A SIMILAR ITEM COMPRISING FOUR SIDE WALLS WHICH WHEN ASSEMBLED FORM A TUBULAR PORTION OF THE CARTON HAVING A RECTANGULAR CROSSSECTION, TWO END WALLS PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SIDE WALLS, TWO FLAP SECTIONS EACH HAVING AN INTEGRAL CUSHION SEGMENT AND A CUSHION SEGMENT FLAP, ONE OF SAID CUSHION SEGMENTS BEING FORMED INTEGRAL WITH AND HINGED TO ONE END OF ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS, AND THE OTHER CUSHION SEGMENT BEING FORMED INTEGRAL WITH THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID WALL, BOTH OF SAID FLAP SECTIONS BEING POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CARTON TO FORM ANGLED CROSS-SECTIONS WITH EACH OF THE CUSHION SEGMENT FLAPS SUPPORTED BY THE CORNER FORMED BY A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID END WALLS AND THE SIDE WALL OPPOSING SAID ONE SIDE WALL AND WITH THE JOINT BETWEEN EACH CUSHION SEGMENT FLAP AND ITS ADJOINING CUSHION SEGMENT BEING SPACED FROM SAID OPPOSING SIDE WALL SO THAT THE CUSHION SEGMENTS ARE ADAPTED TO RESILIENTLY SUPPORT OPPOSING PORTIONS OF THE ITEM TO BE PACKAGED WITHIN THE CARTON. 